3 IPL stalwarts who could be good fits in the Indian cricket team's middle order

The Indian middle-order has been one of the most talked-about topics for quite some time now and one that has seen the selectors face severe backlash in the recent past.

The much-debated name is that of Ambati Rayudu, a man who many feel was hard done by after he was dropped from the 15 man World Cup squad after a below-par IPL. Rayudu, who was a sure shot selection into the squad after putting in some valuable performances at No 4, was also given the captain's backing but who knew a bad IPL would change his fate so drastically.

To put that decision into perspective, Rayudu averages 47.00 in ODI cricket and has an impressive average of 41.67 batting at Number 4. India used Vijay Shankar and then called in a 5-match-old Rishabh Pant after the former was injured.

The debate seems to have settled for the time being at least with Shreyas Iyer coming in and making a strong case for his long run in the Indian side. Iyer averages a staggering 56.86 batting at Number 4 after 8 innings in that slot.

If Iyer doesn't continue his fine run and the team management eventually decide to look elsewhere, let's take a look at three other contenders who will be worthy of a place in that side.

3. Shubman Gill

Just 20 years old, but Shubman Gill has already caught a lot of attention not only in the Indian domestic circuit but also in world cricket as well. Gill came to the fore after his terrific performances in India's successful U19 World Cup of 2018 where he finished as the team's highest scorer.

The youngster amassed a total of 372 runs in 5 innings that tournament at an average of 124.00, and a very impressive strike rate of 112.38. That is when the world took notice of this fine talent coming up the ranks in Indian cricket.

Ever since Gill has been creating a buzz right from first-class cricket to the highly popular IPL and has also been putting in some stellar performances for the India A side.

Gill averages 73.55 in first-class cricket and has been piling on the runs in the domestic circuit. Last year he put on a show in the IPL after he got a chance to open the batting for KKR. Gill averages 47.20 as an opener in IPL and impressed one and all in the 2019 IPL season.

Shubman Gill got a well-deserved opportunity at number 4 last year in two dead rubber games in New Zealand before the World Cup but didn't really impress. Considering the abundant talent and his wide range of strokes he could be an amazing option for any middle-order to have.

2. Nitish Rana

One name synonymous with the IPL when we talk of the league's top run-scorers every year is Nitish Rana. Rana has been a consistent figure in the IPL and has been one name that has entered talks of an Indian call-up very often. Rana averages close to 30 in the IPL in 46 games and has been a vital cog in the sides that he has been a part of.

In the last 4 seasons of the IPL, Rana has averaged 30 plus in three seasons and has had 300 plus run seasons on 3 occasions as well. In a league as competitive as the IPL, with its world-class bowlers, it's definitely not an easy job to maintain this level of consistency over a long period. Rana's best season came in purple and gold last year when he went on to score 344 runs at a strike rate of 146.4 in the season of 2019.

Rana has a List A average of 37.6 and considering he provides a left-hand option in the middle-order, he can come in very handy. Not to forget he is a very useful off-break bowler as well and can bowl some valuable overs for the side which adds a lot of value to his claim.

1. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav, famously known as SKY, is easily one of the most consistent players in the Indian circuit and if there is anyone who deserves a go in that Indian side it has to be this lad. He has been an integral part of Mumbai's domestic side as well as the Mumbai Indians unit in the IPL. The right-hander has been making a strong case for quite some time now.

The stand-out feature of Yadav's batting is his ability to shift gears through an innings. He has the ability to play the waiting game and also accelerate when needed, which is a standout feature for any good middle-order batsman.

He has been scintillating, to say the least, in the last 2 seasons of the IPL. He scored 512 runs in the 2018 season at an average of 36.6 and followed it up with 424 runs in the 2019 season at an average of 32.6. That adds up to around 950 runs in the last 2 IPL seasons against some of the world's best bowlers.

Yadav, who is now 29 will be looking to make it big whenever he gets an opportunity and considering his consistent run off-late it cant be very long before the selectors decide to give him a go in the limited over formats.